11 of the Strongest Women Throughout History

On this list you will find different women who have worked their way to glory. These ladies have impressive physical strength and power that could trample any man.

Ironically, weightlifting women are given negative views by the public, and oftentimes, they are looked down by those who are not in the same field. But prepare to be amazed by the stories behind these extraordinary women and learn how they led the way for others who aspire to be just like them.

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Bev Francis

Born onFebruary 15, 1955, in Geelong, Australia

Height: 5 ft 5 in

Weight in season: 160 lb

Bev Francis was an accomplished short putter for the Australian track and field. She went on to break the Australian record for shot put in 1977 and had an accomplished career between 1977 and 1982. Shen then shifted to powerlifting after competing in the World Powerlifting Championship, where she set a world record by bench-pressing 150 kg. She held the championship title for the years 1980 through 1985 and remained undefeated throughout her career.

Iris Kyle

Born on August 22, 1974, in Michigan

Height: 5 ft 7 in

Weight in season: 157–165 lb

Professional bodybuilding championIris Kyle began her career in the year 1999. She won her first Ms. Olympia title in 2004, and from the period 2006 to 2014, she remained an undefeated champion. Although retired, Kyle announced that she was going to compete again at the 2016 Wings of Strength Rising World Championships. Her career as a bodybuilder was so successful, she was named first place in the IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding Ranking List.

Tatiana Kashirina

Born on January 24, 1991, in Noginsk, Russia

Height: 5 ft 10 in

Weight: 238.5 lbs

Tatiana Kashirina is the youngest woman on this list, so she definitely has a bright future ahead of her. The Russian native took home the top spot during the 2014 World Weightlifting Championship and currently has numerous world championships under her belt. Perhaps her biggest feats to date were her 341-pound snatch and a clean and jerk with the weight of approximately 425 lbs.

Becca Swanson

Born on November 20, 1973, in Nebraska

Height: 5 ft 10 inches

Weight: 240 lbs

Becca Swanson‘s career began in 2002. She has since then been known as The World’s Strongest Woman or The Strongest Woman on the Planet. She currently holds several powerlifting titles for women such as 854.3-pound squat, 600.8 -ound bench, and 683.4-pound deadlift.

Jill Mills

Born onMarch 2, 1972, in Nebraska

Stats: none on record

According to her profile, Jill Mills has now retired from her career as a World Champion Powerlifter and now works as a personal trainer. But Mills had a stellar run throughout those times, as she has won the World’s Strongest Woman contests consecutively through the years 2001 and 2002.